In thermodynamics, internal energy is denoted by which symbol?

The internal energy of a system in thermodynamics is denoted by the symbol U. Internal energy represents the total energy contained within a system, accounting for both the kinetic and potential energies of the particles that make up the system. This energy is critical in understanding processes such as heat transfer and work done in thermodynamic systems.

The other symbols represent different thermodynamic properties: H stands for enthalpy, which is the total heat content of a system, S denotes entropy, a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system, and G represents Gibbs free energy, which is a thermodynamic potential that reflects the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic process at constant temperature and pressure. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the role of internal energy in the broader context of thermodynamics.